Power transmission control means



g- 19, 1947- v. E. MATULAITIS 2,425,890

POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS Filed Sept. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1947. v. E. MATULAITIS POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 11, 1941 INVENTOR lie-2 0232; fizz /2251's. BY (2Z2,

1 ATTORNEYS Aug. 19, 1947. v. E. MATULAITIS 2,425,890

POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS Filed Sept. 11, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 1 did! 172311245221 BY 2 OW ATTORNEYfi PATENT OFFICE POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL MEANS Victor E. Matulaitis, Detroit, Micln, assignor to Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application September 11, 1941, Serial No. 410,394

17 Claims.

This invention relates to motor vehicles and refers more particularly to power transmission and control mechanism therefor.

My invention has particular reference to transmission systems in which the torque load is relieved, as by momentary interruption of the engine ignition or by other suitable means, in order to unload positively engageable drive control elements so as to facilitate disengagement of such elements. One example of such a transmission is described and claimed in the copending application of Carl A. Neracher et al., Serial No. 335,310 filed May 15, 1940.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved ignition interruption control means adapted for use with a transmission control of the general type aforesaid and which is capable of being employed in a parallel arrangement of kickdown and governor switches without resulting in engine missing or ignition interruption on the return stroke of the piston or other prime mover operator, such interruption occurring only at the desired time to facilitate relative disengagement of the drive control elements.

Another object is to provide improved and simplified means for controlling the torque-relieving or torque reversing means.

Another object is to provide a transmission control which is more fool-proof in its operation and in the general drive functions of the vehicle.

A further object is to provide an improved prime mover and ignition interrupter switch assembly for controlling shift of a shiftable drive control element.

A still further object is to provide improved control means for the torque-relieving means whereby the torque relief is brought about only as an incident to the one desired direction of movement of the actuating means for the movable or shiftable drive control element and not durin the return direction of movement of this actuating means.

Another object is to provide a simple electrical system for controlling ignition interruption, my system accommodating use of a simple and cheap fiat strip type interrupter switch of the well known door bell type.

A further object is to provide a novel electrical system incorporating relay means for protecting the ignition against interruption at times other than when desired.

Another object is to provide an improved electrical system incorporating relay means so arranged as to protect the ignition grounding wire against a hot lead at the prime mover unit and at the interrupter switch during vehicle drives when the drive control elements are disengaged as well as when engaged. Inasmuch as the relay means may be located at any desired point, as at the instrument panel where it is protected, there is therefore no likelihood of the ignition becoming grounded by accumulation of dirt at the interrupter switch at times when it is desired to maintain the engine in constant firing condition.

A still further object is to provide an improved operating means for maintaining the ignition grounded out for a predetermined portion of the release stroke of the movable drive control element, such operating means being so arranged as not to interfere either with the moving parts of the releasing means or the interrupter switch.

A further object is to provide means for insuring against the ignition being grounded out for a period of time longer than desired.

Another object is to provide a novel system of transmission and ignition interruption control incorporating a time delay relay for the ignition interrupter switch such that the ignition is automatically restored if the ignition tends to be interrupted beyond a. predetermined desired length of time.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of an improved control means according to the aforesaid objects, wherein the governor switch and kickdown switch are arranged in parallel circuits rather than in series circuits as set forth in my copending application Serial No. 405,949 filed August 8, 1941 and which has eventuated in Patent No. 2,309,468, dated January 26, 1943. In my copending application the governor and kickdown switches are arranged in series and selectively open for directing transmission step-down and close for step-up. However, it is sometimes desirable to incorporate my improvements for' control systems wherein the governor and kickdown switches are of the type which close for step-down. The latter system of switches is at presentemployed in automobiles of commercial manufacture. In order to utilize certain of the benefits of the improvements set forth in my copending application it would be necessary to re-design the governor and kickdown switches in order to reverse their functions and this entails several undesirable elements including additional cost. One object of my subject application is therefore to provide a novel control system which will utilize the advantages of the system set forth in my copending application and which is adaptable to control systems wherein the governor and kickdown switches or either of such switches may be of the aforesaid commercial form without; requiringtheir redesign.

My invention is further characterized, especially in one embodiment thereof, by the provision of a novel time delay relay control for ignition interruptlon wherein this relay control is not affected by the resistance of the kickdown or governor switches so that even if these switches become pitted the relay control will .fford a, proper ground for the ignition interrupting system.

My invention is further characterized, especially in another embodiment thereof, by the provision of relay control means for ignition interruption with time delay wherein resistance of the relay coil circuit is minimized during tme delay action thereby affording a time delay of relatively long duration and drawing a relatively small amount of current from the battery during drive in the top gear which is used for most of the vehicle driving conditions.

Further objects and advantages of my invention reside in the novel combination and arrangement of parts more particularly. hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevatlonal view showing the motor vehicle engine and power transmission.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevational view through the main clutching mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a similar view through the change speed transmission.

Fig. 4 is a detail enlarged view of the blocker clutch as seen in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view development according to line 5-5 of Fig. 4, automatic clutching sleeve being released.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the automatic clutching sleeve in its intermediate shift position during the drive blocking condition. a

Fig. 7 is a. similar view showing the automatic clutching sleeve in its coasting relationship for the Fig. 6 showing, the clutching sleeve being unblocked during coast for its clutching movement.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the automatic clutching sleeve in full clutching engagement.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the automatic clutching sleeve in its other intermediate shift position during the coast blocking condition.

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevational view taken approximately as indicated by line lfl|0 in Fig. 3 but showing only the upper portion of the transmission mechanism and particularly the lever operating mechanism for the automatic clutching sleeve.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the control mechanism for the automatic clutching sleeve, the latter being shown in its released position.

Fig. 12 is a sectional elevational view taken as indicated by line |2l2 of Fig. 11.

' Fig. 13 is a detail enlarged sectional plan vi taken as indicated by line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a view generally similar to Fig. 11 b t illustrating the parts in positions corresponding to engaged position of the automatic clutching sleeve.

Fig. 15 is a. view generally corresponding to Fig.

illustrated as a the 14 but illustrating a modified arangement of time.

delay for ignition interruption.

While my control may be employed in conjuncone driving system I have shown my invention in connection with certain parts of the aforesaid Neracher et a1. application.

In the drawings A represents the internal combustion engine which drives through fluid coupling B and conventional type of friction main clutch C to the speed ratio transmission D whence the drive passes from output shaft 20 to drive the rear vehicle wheels in the usual manner.

The engine crankshaft 2| carries the vaned fluid coupling impeller 22 which in the well known manner drives the vaned runner 23 whence the drive passes through hub 24 toclutch driving member 25. This member' then transmits the drive, when clutch C is engaged as in Fig. 2, through driven member 26 to the transmission driving shaft 21 carrying the main drive pinion 28. A clutch pedal 29 controls clutch C such that when the driver depresses this pedal, collar 30 is thrust forward to cause levers 3| to release the clutch driving pressure plate 32 against springs 33 thereby releasing the drive between runner 23 and shaft 21. The primary function of the main clutch C is to enable the driver to make shifts between neutral, forward, and reverse in transmission D.

Referring to the transmission, pinion 28 is in constant mesh with gear 34 which drives countershaft 35 through an overrunning clutch E of the usual well known type such that when shaft 2'! drives in its usual clockwise direction (looking from front to rear) then clutch E will engage to lock gear 34 to countershaft 35 whenever the gear 34 tends to drive faster than the countershaft. However, whenever this gear 34 tends to rotate slower than the countershaft then clutch E will automatically release whereby shaft 21, under certain conditions, may readily drop its speed while countershaft 35 continues to revolve.

countershaft 35 comprises cluster gears 36, 31 and 38 which respectively provide drives in first, third and reverse. Freely rotatable on shaft 20 are the first and third driven gears 39 and 40 respectively in constant mesh with countershaft gears 36 and 31. A hub 4| is splined on shaft 20 and carries therewith a manually shiftable sleeve 42 adapted to shift from the Fig. 3 neutral position either rearwardly to clutch with teeth 43 of neutral are under manual shift control of the tion with various types and arrangements of movehicle driver, the main clutch C being released by depressing pedal 29 in shifting into any one of these drives.

First is obtained by shifting sleeve 42 to clutch with teeth 43, the drive passing from engine A, through fluid coupling B, clutch C and shaft 21 to pinion 28, thence through gear 34 and clutch E to countershaft 35. From the countershaft the drive is through gears 36, 39 and sleeve 42 to shaft 20.

Third is obtained by shifting sleeve 42 to clutch with teeth 44, the drive passing from the engine to the countershaft 35 as before, thence through gears 31, 40 and sleeve 42 to shaft 20.

Reverse is obtained by shifting idler into mesh with gears 38, 46, sleeve 42 being in neutral, the

reverse drive passing from the engine to the countershaft 35 as before, thence through gears 38, 41 and 46 to shaft 20.

Slidably splined on teeth 48 carried by gear 4|] is the automatic clutching sleeve F which, under certain conditions, is adapted to shift forwardly to clutch with teeth 49 carried by pinion 28 to thereby positively clutch shaft 21 directly to gear 40. The sleeve F is adapted to step-up the speed ratio drive from first to second and from third to fourth which is a direct drive speed ratio. Control means is provided which limits clutching of sleeve F to approximate synchronism with teeth 49 and also to a condition of engine coast, sleeve F being prevented from clutching during that condition known as engine drive as when the engine is being speeded up under power.

When driving in first, second is obtained by the driver releasing the usual accelerator pedal 50' thereby allowing spring 50*- to close the engine throttle valve and cause the engine to rapidly coast down. When this occurs, the engine along with shaft 21, pinion 28 and gear 34 all'slow down while shaft 20 along with gears 39 and 36 continue their speeds by accommodation of clutch E which now overruns. The engine slows down until teeth ,49 are brought to approximate synchronism with sleeve F which thereupon automatically shifts to clutch with teeth 49 resulting in a two-way drive for second as follows: pinion 28 through sleeve F to gear 40 thence through gears 31, 36 and 39 to sleeve 42 and shaft 20, the

clutch E overrunning.

When driving in third, fourth or direct is obtained just as for second by driver release of the accelerator pedal and resulting shift of'sleeve F to clutch with teeth 49 when these parts are synchronized by reason of the engine coasting down from the drive in third. The direct drive is a two-way drive as follows: pinion 28 through sleeve F to gear 40 thence directly through sleeve 42 to shaft 20, clutch E overrunning as before.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 9 there is shown the blocking means for controlling clutching shift of sleeve F so as to limit clutching thereof to engine,coasting and synchronous relationship of the clutching parts, ,Sleeve F is provided with a series of pairs of what may be termed long and short teeth 5!), 5i certain of which may be bridged or joined together. A blocker ring 52 is provided with blocking teeth 53 which either lie in the path of forward shift of teeth 50 or 5| or else between these teeth to allow clutching shift of sleeve F. Thus, blocker 52 has, at suitable locations, a drive lug 54 engaged in a slot 55 of gear 40. The blocker is urged under light energizing pressure of spring 56 into constant frictional engagement at 51 with pinion 28 so that the blocker tends to rotate with pinion 28 within the limits afiorded by the travel of lug 54 circumferentially in slot 55.

During drive in first and third, the speed of shaftZl exceeds the speed of gear 40 so that, if sleeve F is fully released, the parts will be positioned as in Fig. 5 wherein the blocker teeth 53 are axially in alignment with the short teeth 5|. If now the sleeve F is urged forwardly it will mov to the Fig. 6 position of drive blocking and will remain in this blocked position as long as the engine drives the car in first or third.

If new the driver releases the accelerator pedal so that the engine may coast down .under accommodation of overrunning clutch E, while sleeve F is urged forwardly, then when pinion 28 is reduced in speed to that of sleeve F slight further drop in speed of pinion 28 for a fraction of a revolution below the speed of sleeve F will cause blocker 52 to rotate slightly relative to sleeve F until blocker teeth 53 strike the adjacent sides of long teeth 58 as in Fig. 7 thereby limiting further reduction in speed of the blocker relative to sleeve F. At this time the sleeve F is free to complete its forward clutching shift with teeth 49,, as in Fig. 8, the blocker teeth 53 passing between adjacent long and short teeth 50, 5|. With the sleeve F thus clutched during engine coast, a two-way drive is established in second or fourth depending on whether .the manually shiftable sleeve F was set for first or third just prior to the clutching shift of sleeve F.

In the event that sleeve F is urged forwardly from its Fig. 5 position at a time when the gear 40 is rotating faster than pinion 28, then the blocker 52 will lag behind the sleeve and will be blocked by engagement of long teeth 50 with the blocker teeth 53 as shown in Fig. 9. This is referred to as the coast blocking condition, If now the engine is speeded up by the driver depressing the accelerator pedal in the .usual manner, then the engine and blocker 52 rotate forwardly and blocker teeth 53 move over to the Fig. 6 drive blocking position thereb jumping the gap between teeth 50' and 51. This is the primary reason for providing the long andshort teeth whereby sleeve F clutches only from the drive blocking condition followed by engine coast which protects the teeth and avoids harsh clutching effects on the passengers and transmission mechanism. On accelerating'the engine from the Fig. 9 coast blocking condition, the engine comes up to a speed limited by engagement of the overrunning clutch E for drive in either first or third depending on the setting of the manual shiftable sleeve 42. Then on releasing the accelerator pedal the sleeve F will synchronously clutch with teeth 49 during coast to step-up the drive to either second or fourth as aforesaid.

The transmission is provided with prime mover means for controlling shift of sleeve F along with several control means. Referring particularly to Figs. 11 and 14, there is illustrated a pressure fluid operated motor G utilizing differential air pressure for its operation. For convenience this motor is arranged to operate by the vacuum" in the intake manifold system of the engine under control of electromagnetic means.

Forward shift of sleeve F is effected, under control of motor G, by reason of a spring 58 having its upper end fixed by engaging the outboard portion of a transverse shaft 59 fixed in the housing of transmission D. Mounted to freely rock on shaft 59 is a shift yoke 60 which engages the shift groove 6| of sleeve F, this yoke having one of its arms provided with a forwardly extending lever 62 carrying a lateral pin 63 which engages the yoke portion 64 of an upstanding lever 65. This lever 65 is fixed to the'inboard end of a rockshaft 66 the outboard end of which has fixed thereto a bell-crank follower lever member having lever arms 61 and 68. The end of lever 68 is connected to the lower end of spring 58 and'lever' 7 to which is secured the rear part it and the forward cylindrical closure part 35. A piston 18 slidably fits within cylinder 15 and is centrally secured to the rear portion of a hollow reciprocatory leading member or piston rodll. The forward end of this piston rod carries an abutment leader rod or pin 18 fixed thereto and arranged to engage abutment 68 during its arcuate swing about the axis of shaft 68. The rear end of rod 11 is slidably mounted on a tubular support guide 19 which is part of a fixed assembly H for the coil 80 and inner and outer flux-directing iron cylinders 8|, 82 connected by non-magnetic spacers 83, 84. A ferrous ring 85 is arranged with a gap between the front ends of cylinders 8| and 82 to provide a shunt flux path.

Thrusting forwardly on piston is is a sleevereleasing or kickdown spring 86 of much greater force than that of spring 58 so that spring 86 can act to release sleeve F as in Fig. 11. In order to releasably hold the piston in its Fig. la position, a plate armature 81 is fixed to the rear face of the piston and adapted to engage the front ends of cylinders 8|, 82 to complete the flux path at this point. The electromagnet H is of sufficient strength to hold piston 16 retracted against the force of spring 88.

At the rear of the part 73 there is provided a second plate armature 88 engageable as in Fig. 14 with the rear faces of'cylinders 8i, 82. A shield 88' is stationary and protects coil til against moisture and shields it magnetically. This armature is fixed to a sleeve 89 slidable on a switch operator or rod 99 which extends forwardly through guide 19 and terminates forwardly in a head 90 for seating the rear end of a spring cup or plunger 90 which houses a spring 90. This spring acts between head 90" and the forward end 90 of plunger 90 and with the piston l6 projected forwardly as in Fig. 11, the spring 90 is substantially unloaded and plunger 90 is extended forwardly to its limit determined by engagement of the rear inturned end of the sleeve with the rod head 90. In such position the rear flat face 90 of leader rod It is spaced forwardly from the plunger end 90. This arrangement provides an overtravel or lost-motion operating connection between rod 90 and piston 16 the purpose of which will be presently more apparent. Sleeve 89 mounts a support 9| carrying a valve member 92, a spring 93 acting between the rear end of the fixed guide l9 and sleeve 89 so as to bias valve member 92 to its Fig. 11 position of shutting off vacuum supply to the cylinder chamber 95 and venting the same.

The part Hi is formed with a valve seat 85 cooperable with valve 92 to control supply of vacuurn from pipe 96 (Fig. 1) to chamber 91 in part i l, this chamber being always directly open to the working chamber 95 by a passage 98 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. Pipe 96 extends forwardly for communication with the vacuum in the engine intake manifold J. The part 73 has a valve seat 99 also cooperable with valve 92 to control venting communication between chambers 94, ill and vent pipe it!) which has one branch it! lead ing to the atmosphere at the air cleaner Hi2 and a second branch Hi3 open to the cylinder chamber Hid forwardly of piston 38. It will be apparent that when the electromagnet H is energized, armature 88 will move forwardly to its Fig. 14 position of placing chamber all in communication with the intake manifold J and when the electromagnet is deenergized as in Fig. 11 then spring 93 will bias valve 92 so as to vent chamber 94.

I have provided means functioning to relieve the thrust-application between the teeth of sleeve F and the teeth 49 thereby facilitating movement of the drive control sleeve element F from its Fig. 14 position of engaging relationship into its Fig. 11 position of disengaging relationship with respect to teeth 49. This relief means is in the form of a system of grounding the primary terminal of the usual distributor of the engine ignition system whereby the engine ignition may be momentarily rendered inoperative thereby unloading the torque at sleeve F sufiiciently to insure its release by spring 86.

The interrupting system comprises an interrupter switch K preferably of the well known door-bell type having switch terminals 105, I06 carried by the closure plate I 96'. These terminals are adapted to be bridged for switch closing function by a spring flat conductor I01 carried by an insulating disk 108 which is slidable in a cylindrical recess N9 of the part 74. A spring H0 acts between plate Hi6 and disk I08 to bias conductor I01 into switch-open position as in Fig. 11, a shoulder III limiting forward movement of the disk.

The arrangement is such that when piston 16 is retracted by vacuum from its Fig. 11 position to its Fig. 14. position, the face strikes plunger end 90 and compresses spring 90 until rod 90 is moved rearwardly overcoming spring H0 and moving disc I08 rearwardly to close switch K. The last portion of the rear movement of piston 76 is accommodated by the overtravel spring 90 whereby the plunger 90 moves rearwardly relative to rod to until the parts reach their Fig. 14

position at which time the electromagnet H will hold the piston in such retracted position irrespective of the continuance of vacuum in chamber 96. The overtravel spring allows the switch K to close ahead of seating of armature 81 at the coil of the electromagnet and thereby also allows the switch K to remain closed during the first part of the forward or outward movement of the piston.

As will be presently more apparent, ignition interruption is under relay control such that the ignition is not necessarily grounded when switch K is closed as in Fig. 14. However when piston it starts its outward stroke, the ignition is at such time interrupted and will ordinarily remain interrupted until switch K opens. Thus the time of interruption maybe as long as desired by relatively proportioning the forces exerted by springs 90 and III] as well as the arrangement of spacing of the face .lll and plunger 90 and other variables as will be readily understood. In practice I have found that an interruption of about one-third of the outward piston stroke is satisfactory for the arrangement illustrated and accordingly the illustrated parts are so arranged that switch K will open at about one-third of the piston stroke in moving from the Fig. 14 position to the Fig. 11 position.

In order to effect disengaging shift of sleeve F, the parts being positioned as in Fig. 14 with switch K closed, the electromagnet is de-energlzed with accompanying grounding of the ignition by relay control, whereupon spring 93 moves valve 92 to its Fig. 11 venting position. With the chamber 9:? vented, spring 86 is then free to move piston 16 forward which it does because the ignition is interrupted and the torque thereby relieved at the teeth of sleeve F. After the piston has completed about one-third of its stroke, the switch K opens by its spring IIO, which is at that time able to push rod 90 forward against the unloaded spring 90, and the ignition is restored for the remainder of the forward piston stroke because the grounding line of the ignition is broken at switch K.

When piston 16 moves from its Fig. 11 position to its Fig. 14 position, switch K closes during the latter part of the piston travel as aforesaid but the ignition is not thereby grounded or interrupted because of the relay control. Thus there is no engine missing during the engaging movement of sleeve F corresponding to inward travel of the piston.

It is deemed preferable to provide a speed control on the energization of the electromagnetic.

coil 80 so as to insure automatic release of sleeve F below a predetermined car speed and to accommodate automatic engagement of sleeve F above a predetermined car speed. Whenever the car is in forward driving condition the manual sleeve 42 is either shifted rearwardly to the low range or forwardly to the high range so that by driving a governor from the countershaft 35 it is possible to provide a speed control operated proportionate to the speed of travel of the car.

Driven from countershaft gear I30 is a governor M of any suitable type, this governor operating a sleeve I3I outwardly along its drive shaft I32 as the car speed reaches a predetermined point, the break-away being under control of a detent I33 if desired. I use the term governor in a broad sense to define speed responsive means of any suitable type.

The sleeve I3I has a shoulder I34 engaged by the swinging switch piece I35 of the governor switch N. When the car is stationary the detent I33 is engaged and switch N is closed. As the car accelerates, the governor eventually reaches its critical speed and detent I33 releases thereby causing switch N to open. As the car slows down,

the governor spring I36 restoresthe parts to the Fig. 11 position and by proportioning the various parts it is obvious that switch N may be made to function at desired speeds proportionate to car travel. As an example of one arrangement of governor operation and gearing arrangement, the governor may be made to open switch N during car acceleration in first and third respectively at approximately '7 and 15 M. P. H. (miles per hour), the switch N closing on stopping the car in direct and second at approximately '1 and 3 M. P. H. respectively.

The driver operated ignition switch is designated at O and comprises a conductor I31 which, in the Fig. 11 position showing the switch on or closed, electrically connects contacts I38 and I39. Contact I38 extends by conductor I40 to ammeter MI and thence by conductor I42 to the usual storage battery I43 and thence to ground I44. Contact I39 has a conductor I45 extending by conductor I46 branching therefrom to the engine ignition system herein shown in part as comprising coil I41 and distributor II1 having the primary terminal II6.

A second conductor I48 branches from conductor I45 to the coil I49 of the single throw double pole relay Q, thence by conductor I50 to the branch conductors II, I52. The branch I5I extends to the kickdown switchP and thence to ground I53. Branch I52 extends to the governor switch N and thence to ground I54. The switch P is normally open and is closed preferably by a full depression of accelerator pedal 50 acting throughlink I55 and a bell-crank lever I56 pivotally mounted at I51. Lever I56 actuates a link I58 which extends forwardly (Fig. 1) to adjust the engine throttle valve lever I59. When pedal 50' is thus depressed, the lever I59 is positioned to fully open the throttle valve I60 and as the throttle valve is adjusted in its Wide-open range the lever I56 closes switch P to efiect a stepdown in the transmission from fourth to third or from second to first by de-energizing the coil 80 by reason of relay control.

Switches P and N are in parallel circuits, each of which includes relay coil I49. The kickdown relay coil circuit is as follows: ground I44 to battery. I43 thence by conductor I42 to ammeter MI and by conductor I to ignition switch 0. From switch 0 this circuit extends through conductors I and I48 to relay coil I49 and thence by conductors I and I5I through switch P, when closed, to ground I53 to complete the circuit. The governor relay coil circuit is the same as the kickdown relay coil} circuit as far as conductor I50 whence this circuit extends by conductor I52 through governor switch N, when 'closed, to ground I54.

The holding coil circuit is the same as the kickdown relay coil circuit and the governor relay coil circuit to conductor I48 whence it branches at point I6I, ahead of coil I 49, and extendsto the movable secondary relay point I62 of relay Q, thence to the companion fixed secondary relay point I63 and by conductor I64 to one end of coil 80, the other end being connected by con ductor I65 to ground at I66.

Relay Q comprises a set of primary points I61, I68. The point I61 is tied at I69 to always move with point I62 such that when points I62, I63 are open then points I61, I68 are closed and vice versa. A spring I10 biases the primary and secondary relay points to their positions illustrated in Fig. 14, the relay coil I49 being then de-energized. However, when coil I49 is energized then the relay points are positioned as in Fig. 11. It will be apparent that when either the governor switch N or kickdown switch P is closed then coil I49 is energized by closing either the governor relay coil or the kickdown relay coil parallel circuits. Energizing relay coil I49, as in Fig. 11, causes primary points I61, I68 to close and secondary points I62, I63 to open. When points I62, I63 are open then the holding coil circuit is broken and holding coil 80 is deenergized to vent chamber 94 and allow spring 86 to move piston 16 outwardly to the Fig. 11 position. On the other hand, when switch N opens, the parts being as in Fig. 11, then the governor relay coil circuit is broken and relay coil I49 is de-energized. Spring I10 then acts to close points I63, I63 to establish the holding coil circuit whereby the electromagnet H is energized causing vacuum retraction of piston 16 to its Fig. 14 position where it is held by armature B1. The primary points I61, I68 im- 'mediately open when switch N opens so that by the time switch K closes, near the end of retraction of piston 16, there will be no engine missing because the ignition grounding circuit, as will presently be apparent, between terminal H6 and the ground "I for terminal I05 of switch K will be open at the relay points I61, I68.

The ignition interrupting system comprises an ignition grounding line or circuit which includes a grounding conductor I12 extending from the distributor primary terminal II6 to the primary relay terminal I61 thence to terminal I68 and conductor I13 to the movable point I14 of a time delay relay Q. From point I14 this ignition grounding circuit continues through the companion fixed point I15 thepce by conductor I16 through switch K, when closed, to ground I1I. The movable point I14 is biased by a spring I11 into disengagement with respect to the companion point I15. Engagement of point I14 with point I15 is effected by a relay coil ,I18 one end of which extends by a conductor I19 to ground at I80 while the other end of this relay coil is connected by a conductor I8I at point I83 with conductor I64 of the holding coil circuit. Extending across conductors I19, I8I is a resistance I82. As a typical example of the ohmic values of the relay coils I49, I18 and resistance I82 in an installation of the character illustrated, using an ordinary commercial vehicle storage battery I43,

the coil I49 may have around 20 to 24 ohms resistance, coil I18 around 50 ohms, and resistance I82 about ohms. These values may of course be varied within limits which insure the proper functioning of the system. For convenience of reference, the relay Q may be referred to as the primary relay and relay Q as the secondary or time delay relay, it being noted that points I14, I are in series with points I61, I 68 in the ignition grounding circuit.

The operation of the relay control system is as follows. When the vehicle is being driven with sleeve F engaged with teeth 49, as in second or direct, switches N and P are open as in Fig, 14 thereby de-energizing relay coil I49 and causing relay spring I10 to close points I62, I63. The holding coil circuit is thereby closed causing holding coil 80 to be energized whereby the valving will supply vacuum to the piston chamber 94. At this time current flows from ground I44' and battery I43 to conductors I45, I48 to point I6I thence through primary points I62, I63 and conductors I64, I8I to relay coil I 18 and by conductor I19 to ground I80. This circuit which, for convenience, may be termed the secondary relay coil circuit is parallel with the holding coil circuit, from whence it branches at point I83 so that the parallel circuits are each controlled by points I62, I63. When this secondary relay coil circuit is thus established, points I14, I15 of relay Q are closed and as the interrupter switch K is then closed, the ignition grounding circuit is ready to be closed as soon as points I61, I68 are closed. A i'urther circuit also parallel with the holding coil circuit is established, with the parts as in Fig. 14, this circuit being designated as the secondary relay resistancew circuit and is the same as the secondary relay coil circuit up to conductor I8I whence this circuit extends through resistance I82. and conductor. I19 to ground I80.

When the system directs disengaging shift of sleeve F accompanied by momentary interruption of the ignition, this kickdown cycle is started by closing either the governor switch N or the kickdown switch P to establish the corresponding governor relay coil circuit or the kickdown relay coil circuit. When this occurs, relay coil I49 is energized to open points I62, I63 and close points I61, I68. When points I62, I63 open the holding coil 80 is de-energized and valve 92 moves to the Fig. 11 position venting chamber 94 and causing spring 66 to thrust piston-outwardly to release sleeve F as soon as the ignition is interrupted.

When points I62, I63 open, current through the secondary relay coil circuit and secondary relay resistance circuit is broken because thesecircuits are open at points I62, I63. At the same time the ignition grounding circuit is established by reason of points I61, I68 closing and the system is such that, in the event the interrupter switch K fails to open after completing about one-third of its kickdown stroke as aforesaid, then the ignition grounding circuit will immediately thereafter automatically-be broken to restore the ignition system to normal functioning by breaking the ignition grounding circuit at points I14, I15 which open in any event with time delay of about onehalf of a second after points I62, I63 are opened.

This time delay control is brought about because when points I62, I63 open, the resistance I82 provides a return path for inductive current flowing from conductor I64 in two inductive paths one of which is through coil to ground I66 and the other of which is through conductor I8I, coil I18, and conductor I19 to ground I80. This return path is from ground I80 through conductor I19 and resistance I82 to conductor I8I. Without the resistance I82 the voltages along these two inductive paths would oppose each other and the resulting net current flowing in coil I18, after points I62, I63 are opened, would be too low to maintain points I14, I15 closed and the time delay would be too brief. Thus without the return path provided by resistance I82 there would result only the diflerence between the voltages in the aforesaid inductive paths, for use as time delay, whereas with my arrangement these voltages add together in the sense that the full inductive voltage across coil I18 is effective in producing the flow of inductive current for the time delay. Now as soon as the time delay cycle has taken place by delay of the inductive current, the spring I11 acts to open points I14, I15

to restore the ignition system if not already restored by the normal functioning of the interrupter switch K.

When, by again opening both switches N and P to deenergize relay coil I49 and energize relay coil I18, points I14 and I15 are closed, piston 16 on returning to its Fig. 14 position to close interrupted switch K, the ignition grounding circuit will not be closed because points I61, I68 will be open.

Switch K is protected against a hot grounding lead because ground wire I16 is broken when the car is driving with sleeve F disengaged when points I14, I15 are open, and when sleeve F is engaged when points I61, I 68 are open.

Among the advantages of my time delay relay system is the arrangement whereby the time delay relay Q is not aifected by pitting of the kickdown or governor switches which would increase the resistance at the switches and which might prevent obtaining a good ground. With my system, even if an unusual resistance should develop at either of these switches, the coil I18 of relay Q has an independent ground control at I80 which insures proper time delay action of relay Q.

Another advantage is that the arrangement is such that the resistance I82 does not draw any current during vehicle drive when sleeve F is disengaged because points I62, I63 are open thereby breaking the secondary relay resistance circuit. As a corollary to this advantage in the circumstance that full battery current is available for engine starting without current loss through resistance I82 at this critical time.

In the operation of the mechanism, the car at standstilland with ignition switch 0 closed and the engine idling will cause governor switch N to remain closed as in Fig. 11 thereby establishing the governor relay coil circuit and de-energizing coil 86 even though the kickdown switch P is closed at this time. The parts are then in their Fig. 11 positions with valve a; seated at 95 so that vacuum at pipe 96 is shut off from chambers 9i and 9 1 while these chambers are open through seat 96 to vent I06 thereby allowing spring 86 to hold piston l6 and rod Ti forwardly projected and sleeve F disengaged. Armature 8'! is thus positioned forwardly away from coil 80 and armature 88 is positioned rearwardly from the coil but not so far but that it will respond to energization of the coil. Spring 93 acting through sleeve 89 is now acting to hold valve 92 against seat 95 as well as to position armature 88 as in Fig. 11.

The driver now shifts sleeve 42 to either the high or low range and accelerates the car, ordinarily above the critical speed of governor M thereby causing switch N to open and break the governor relay coil circuit. When this occurs the coil 80 is energized by closing of the holding coil circuit at points I62, I63 and armature 88 moves electromagnetically to its Fig. 15 position of magnetic attraction to the electromagnet means 6|, 932 the annulus 85 constituting a gap shunt for the electromagnetic circuit at this time.

When armature 88 moves forwardly, valve 92- is caused to seat at 99. The vent IUI is now shut off from chambers 97 and 96, the latter being open to the vacuum in manifold J through pipe d6, chamber 9'5, and passage 98.

As the vacuum in manifold'J is now open to chamber 9%, chamber I04 being vented at I03, Iili, piston l6 moves rearwardly bringing armature 87 in a position of electromagnetic attraction with respect to cylinders 8|, 82 where it is electromagnetically held independently of the presence of vacuum in chamber 94. As soon as the driver allows the engine to coast, sleeve F will engage teeth 49 synchronously under action of spring 58, to step-up the drive to either second or fourth although the step-up will be delayed by the blocker 52 until engine coast thereby enabling drive in the slower driving ratio of first or third as long as desired.

If the car is initially accelerated in first above the governor critical speed and the engine allowed to coast, then second will automatically become operative. Then if the driver shifts sleeve 12 forwardly to the high range, third will of course be skipped and fourth will be obtained because sleeve F will remain engaged. Ordinarily, especially where the car is equipped with a fluid coupling B, the sleeve 42 may be left in its high range and all starts and stops made without further shifting. This is possible owing to slippage in the fluid coupling when stopping the car for a trafiic light and is practicable because the fluid coupling allows high engine torque for favorable car acceleration and because governor M directs a downshift on bringing the car to rest. Thus there is automatically provided a favorable torque-multiplying gearing for starting, as in third.

On bringing the car to a stop when sleeve F is clutched as in fourth, for example, the governor M closes the switch N to allow spring 86 to release sleeve F which it can do as the car is brought to a stop because of the low coasting torque at the teeth of sleeve F. The interruption of the ignition system at this time does not relieve or reverse the torque at the teeth of the sleeve unless the governor is arranged to close on coast down at a car speed below or about equal to engine idle and such may be readily provided although by pro- I and points I62. I63 and I76, I15 closing. Thereviding a spring 86 of proper strength the sleeve is" will, in any event, release on car coast to a stop.

Whenever the car is driving in fourth or second above the governor critical speed. a full depression of the accelerator pedal will cause the transmission to step-down to third or first by closing the kickdown relay coil circuit, the transmission step-up back to fourth or second taking place on release of the accelerator pedal with attendant synchronization of sleeve F with teeth 49.

When the accelerator pedal is thus fully depressed for the kickdown, switch P closes thereby causing points I62, I63 to open de-energizing coil whereupon armature 88 moves by spring 93 to shut off the vacuum supply to chamber 94 and to vent this chamber. Switch K being closed and points I'M, I75 being closed, as soon as points I61, I68 close, the ignition grounding circuit is completed and the piston I6 is free to move outwardly to release sleeve F because the torque load is relieved by the engine ignition interruption. After the piston completes about one-third of its forward stroke, switch K opens restoring ignition and allowing the engine to rapidly speed up to pick up the drive in third or first at the overrunning clutch E. Sleeve F disengages fully during the rapid cycle incident to outward movement of piston I6 before the engine has time to impose a drive load on the teeth of sleeve F. Points I14, I15 open with time delay shortly after the normal opening of switch K on kickdown to protect the system as aforesaid.

When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, assuming governor switch N to be open, coil 80 is energized to cause armature 88 to move to its Fig. 14 position causingvalve 92 to again supply vacuum to chamber 94, points I61, I68 opening upon piston I6 moves inwardly to its Fig. 14 position, the ignition not being interrupted. As soon "as the engine slows down to synchronize the teeth 49 with sleeve F, the latter will then shift forwardly by spring 58 to restore direct drive from pinion 28 to gear 40.

Referring now to Fig. 15 I have illustrated a modified control system which may be employed. This modified system is so arranged that a time delay of somewhat longer duration is obtained with respect to the Fig. 14 system as it eliminates the provision of a resistance in the time delay relay coil circuit during the time delay action. A further advantage over the Fig. 14 arrangement is that the time delay relay control system draws less current, when driving with sleeve F engaged, because with my Fig. 15 system the resistance is no longer subject to direct battery voltage as in the case of the resistance I82 in Fig. 14.

In Fig. 15 ignition grounding circuit, the kickdown relay coil circuit, the governor relay coil circuit, and the holding coil circuit are all identical to the corresponding circuits in Fig. 14 and need not be again described. For simplicity I have represented many of the parts in Fig. 15 diagrammatically but it should be understood that they are intended to be the same as in Fig. 14 as, for example, the switches K, N, and P, and the coil 80 which is shown apart from motor G which may be the same as in Fig. 14.

In Fig. 15 the coils I49, I18 and resistance I82 may have the same ohmic values as in Fig. 14 but now the resistance I82 has one end connected to the battery output as by a conductor I85 connected at point I86 with the conductors I48 and I 6| leading from the energy source at battery 15 I43 to coil I49. The other end of resistance I82 extends by conductor I81 to connect at point I88 with the conductor IBI from coil I18 but now this conductor i8I joins the conductor I50at point I83 at the energy source side of switches N and P in the aforesaid parallel circuits for these switches.

When driving with sleeve F clutched, the electrical parts being as shown in Fig. 15, relay points I14, I15 are maintained closed just as for Fig. 14 by a secondary relay coil .circuit which is the same as in Fig. 14 conductor I48 whence this circuit now continues at point IBI to point I86 and conductor I85 to resistance I82, thence by conductors I81, I8I through coil I18 and back to ground at I80. Because the resistance I82 is now in series with coil I18 it will be apparent that less current is consumed in this circuit during drive in second and fourth than for the corresponding circuit for Fig. 14.

when either of switches N or P is closed for the kickdown, the control system functions just as for Fig. 14 except with respect to the time delay for the opening of points I14, I15 for relay Q. The battery end of coil I18 is now grounded at switch N or P. For example, assuming switch P to close for the kickdown, then the ends of coil I18, instead of being grounded at I80 and I66 as in Fig. 14, are now grounded at I80 and I53 (or at I80 and I54 when switch N closes for the kickdown) so that now the time delay function is dependent on the ground for switch P (or switch N). However while this entails a slight disadvantage over the Fig. 14 arrangement in requiring a good ground at switches N and P (in order to prevent suificient resistance at these switches so that current will not continue to flow through the secondary relay coil circuit and prevent points I14, I15 from opening with time delay) there results the advantage over Fig. 14 in that resistance I82 does not now tend to dissipate inductive energy during the time delay action and the time delay is consequently advantageously increased in duration.

The inductive circuit is now from relay coil I18 to ground I80 thence from ground I54 (or I53) through switch P (or N) and back to coil I18 by conductor I8I.

"The overall operation of the Fig. 15 control system is otherwise identical with that set forth for the foregoing embodiment and need not be repeated.

I claim:

1. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system and a throttle; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for effecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a sec ond position thereby to effect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a fluxgenerating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when de-energized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; a kickdown switch biased to open position; an accelerator pedal for controlling operation of said throttle; means controlled by said pedal for closing said kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttle-opening direction; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust memberis in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; relay means comprising an energizable controlling relay coil; a pair of parallel arranged electric circuits each including a source of electrical energy and said relay coil, one of said pair of parallel arranged circuits including said governor switch and the other including said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means adapted for control by said relay means and including said interrupter switch; electrical holding coil circuit means adapted for control by said relay means and including said holding coil; said relay means being so constructed and arranged as to function, under control of said relay coil, to control said ignition grounding means and said holding coil circuit means; a, time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for efiecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of either of said governor or kickdown switches.

2. Apower transmission according to claim 1; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end of said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end of said time delay relay coil with said holding coil circuit means, and a resistance grounded at one end electrically connected at its other end to said other end of said time delay relay coil.

'3. A power transmission according to claim 1; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end of said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the'other end of said time delay relay coil with said pair of parallel circuits at the energy source side of said governor and kickdown circuits, and a resistance electrically interposed between said otherend of said time delay relay coil and said energy source.

4. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system and a throttle; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for effecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation oi. said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to effect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being'movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when de-energized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a governor switch;

means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will a close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; a kickdown switch biased to open position; an accelerator pedal for controlling operation of said throttle; means cntrolled by said pedal for closing said kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttle-opening direction; an ignition inter- 4 rupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; a double pole relay comprising a pair of primary points and a pair of secondary points, one 01' the points of each pair being movable between positions of engagement and disengagement relative to the other point of such pair, said movable poi-nts being connected such that said pair of primary points is relatively engaged when said pair of secondary points are relatively disengaged and vice versa, a relay spring biasing said movable points to one of their positions aforesaid; and a relay coil adapted when energized to effect movement of said movable points to the other of their positions aforesaid; a pair of parallel arranged electric circuits each including a source of electrical energy and said relay coil, one of said pair of.

parallel arranged circuits including said governor switch and .the other including said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means including said interrupter switch and one of said pairs of relay points; electrical holding coil circuit means ,including said holding coil and the other of said pairs of relay points; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative'disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement '01. said time delay relay points; and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of either of said governor or kickdown switches.

5. A power transmission according to claim 4; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end of said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end oi. said time delay relay coil with said holding coil circuit means, and a resistance grounded at one end and electrically connected at its other end to said other end of said time delay relay coil.

6. A power transmission according to claim 4; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end of said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end of said time delay relay coil with said pair of parallel circuits at the energy source side of said governor and kickdown circuits, and a resistance electrically interposed between said other end of said time delay relay coil and said energy source.

7. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system and a throttle; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for eflecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to effect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when de-energized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust, member toward its said second position; a governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; a kickdown switch biased to open position; an accelerator pedal for controlling operation of 'said throttle; means controlled by said pedal for closing said kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttle: opening direction; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; a double pole relay comprising a pair of primary points and a pair of secondary points, one of the points of each pair being movable between positions of engagement 19 and a relay coil adapted when energized to effect movement of said movable points to the other oi their positions aforesaid thereby to effect engagement of said pair of primary points and disengagement of said pair of secondary points; a pair of parallel arranged electric circuits each including a source of electrical energy and said relay coil, one of said pair of parallel arranged circuits including said governor switch and the other including said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means including said interrupter switch and said pair of primary points; electrical holding coil circuit means including said holding coil and said pair of secondary points; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of either of said governor or kickdown switches.

8. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for efiecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission irom a first position thereof to a second position thereby to effect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when deenergized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; relay meanscomprising an energizable controlling relay coil; a governor relay coil circuit including a source of electrical energy, said relay coil, and said governor switch; ignition grounding means adapted for control by said relay means and including said interrupter switch; electrical holding coil circuit means adapted for control by said relay means and including said holding coil; said relay means being so constructed and arranged as to function, under control of said relay coil, to control said ignition grounding means and said holding coil circuit means; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points;

and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of said governor switch.

9. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided withan ignition system and a throttle; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for efiecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when opera;- tion of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction or thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to effect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when deenergized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring lbiasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a kickdown switch biased to open position; an accelerator pedal for controlling operation of said throttle; means controlled by said pedal for closing said kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttle-opening direction; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function oi movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closedwhen said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens m response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; relay means comprising an energizable controlling relay coil; a kickdown relay coil circult including a source of electrical energy, said relay coil, and said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means adapted for control by said relay means and including said interrupter switch; electrical holding coil circuit means adapted for control by said relay means and including said holding coil; said relay means being so constructed and arranged as to function, under control of said relay coil, to control said ignition grounding means and said holding coil circuit means; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for efiecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of said kickdown switch.

10. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system: a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for efiecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to efiect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when deenergized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; and ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; a double pole relay comprising a pair of primary points and a pair of secondary points, one of the points of each pair being movable between positions of engagement and disengagement relative to the other point of such pair, said movable points being connected such that said pair of primary points is relatively engaged when said pair of secondary points are relatively disengaged and vice versa, a relay spring biasing said movable points to one of their positions aforesaid; and a relay coil adapted when energized to effect movement of said movable points to the other of their positions aforesaid; a governor relay coil circuit including a source of electrical energy, said relay coil, and said governor switch; ignition grounding means including said interrupter switch and one of said pairs of relay points; electrical holding coil circuit means including said holding coil and the other of said pairs of relay points; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing oi said governor switch.

11. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for eflecting a step-up change in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to efiect operation of said element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a'flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when deenergized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a, governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter. switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; a double pole relay comprising a pair of primary points and a pair of secondary points, one of the points of each pair being movable between positions of engagement and disengagement relative to the other point of such pair, said movable points being connected such that said pair of primary points is relatively engaged when said pair of secondary points are relatively disengaged and vice versa, a relay spring biasing said movable points to one of their positions aforesaid; and a relay coil adapted when energized to eflect movement of said movable points to the other of their positions aforesaid; a governor relay coil circuit including a source of electrical energy. said relayecoil, andfsaid governor switch; ignition grounding mean s including said interrupter switch and. one ofsaid pairs of relay points; electrical holding coil circuit means including said holding coil and the other of said pairs oi relay points; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively 'engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasingsaid time delay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and

circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time intervalin response to closing of said kickdown switch.

12. In a power transmission for driving 9, vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system and a throttle; relatively engageable drive control elements one being movable relative to the other to effect disengagement of said elements when operation of said ignition system is interrupted; a thrust member operable from a first position thereof to a second position thereof in opening and closing of said governor switch as a.

function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; a

24 in the transmission drive speed ratio and from said second position to said first position when operation of said ignition system is interrupted to relieve thrust at said element; a reciprocatory thrust member movable in a direction of thrust transmission from a first position thereof to a second position thereby to effect operation of said kickdown switch biased to closed position; an

accelerator pedal for controlling operation of said throttle; means controlled by said pedal for opening said kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttle-opening direction; an ignition interrupter switch; means operable as a function of movement of said thrust member for controlling said interrupter switch such that said interrupter switch is closed when said thrust member is in its said first position and such that said interrupter switch opens in response to predetermined movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; relay means comprising an energizable controlling relay coil; a pair of parallel arranged electric circuits each including a source of electrical energy and said relay coil, one of said pair of parallel arranged circuits including said governor switch and the other including said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means adapted for control by said relay means and including said interrupter switch; electrical holding coil circuit means adapted for control by said relay means and including said holding coil; said relay means being so constructed and arranged as to function, under control of said relay coil, to control said ignition grounding means and said holding coil circuit means; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effecting relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and

circuit means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing or either of said governor orkickdown switches.

13. A power transmission according to claim 12; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end or said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end of said time delay relay coil with said holding coil circuit means, and a resistance grounded at one end and electrically connected at its other end to said other end oi said time delay relay coil,

14. A power transmission according to claim 12; said circuit means for said time delay relay coil comprising, means for grounding one end of said time delay relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end of said time delay relay coil with said pair oi. parallel circuits at the energy source side of said governor and kickdown circuits, and a resistance electrically interposed between said other end of said timedelay relay coil and said energy source.

15. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system and a throttle; a transmission drive-controlling element operable from a first position to a second position for effecting a step-up change element from its said second position to its said first position, said thrust member being movable in a return direction from its said second position to its said first position to accommodate movement of said element to its said second position; power operating means for moving said thrust member from its said second position to its said first position; electromagnetic means comprising a flux-generating holding coil adapted, when energized, to releasably hold said thrust member in its said first position and, when deenergized, to release said thrust member for movement thereof to its said second position; a spring biasing said thrust member toward its said second position; a governor switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said governor switch as a function of vehicle drive speed such that said governor switch will close in response to bringing the vehicle to rest and will open in response to predetermined speed of drive of the vehicle; a kickdown switch biased to closed position; an accelerator pedal for controlling operation oi. said throttle; means controlled by said pedal or opening said .kickdown switch in response to movement of said pedal in throttleopening direction; an ignition interrupter switch; an interrupter switch spring biasing said interrupter switch to switch-open condition; a switch operating member adapted to close said interrupter switch; lost-motion means comprising a lost-motion spring operable disposed between said thrust member and said switch operating member, said lost-motion means being so constructed and arranged such that said lost-motion spring operates through said switch operat-,

ing member to close said interrupter switch when said thrust member moves from its said second position to its said first position and such that said lost-motion spring will maintain said interrupter switch closed during a portion of the movement of said thrust member in its said thrust transmitting direction; relay means comprising an energizable controlling relay coil; a pair of parallel arranged electric circuits each including a source oi electrical energy and said relay coil, one of said pair of parallel arranged circuits including said governor switch and the other including said kickdown switch; ignition grounding means adapted for control by said relay means and including said interrupter switch; electrical holding coil circuit means adapted for control by said relay means and including said holding coil; said relay means being so constructed and arranged as to function, under control of said relay coil, to control said ignition grounding means and said holding coil circuit means; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable time delay relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, means biasing said time delay relay points into relative disengaging relation, and an energizable time delay relay coil for effective relative engagement of said time delay relay points; and circuits means for said time delay relay coil for maintaining said time delay relay points relatively engaged for only an appreciable predetermined time interval in response to closing of either of said governor or kickdown switches.

16. A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition system; transmission change speed mechanism; an electrically energizable device for controlling speed change in said transmission mechanism; electrical circuit means, including a source of electrical energy, for controlling energization of said device; an ignition interrupter switch operable under control of said device; means under control of said interrupter switch for grounding said ignition system to facilitate operation of said change speed mechanism; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, and an energizable relay coil for controlling relative engagement and disengagement of said relay points; and circuit means for controlling energization of said relay coil whereby to effect grounding of said ignition system with time delay on restoring said ignition system to normal operation, comprising, means for grounding one end or said relay coil, means for electrically connecting the other end of said relay coil with said energy source; a governor switch; a vehicle driver controlled switch; means for controlling opening and closing of said electrically connecting means comprising a pair of parallel arranged circuits electrically connected to said energy source and respectively including said switches; said circuit means comprising a resistance electrically connected across the ends of said relay coil and adapted to expedite flow or inductive current through said relay coil when the last said electrically connecting means is broken.

1?, A power transmission for driving a vehicle having an engine provided with an ignition systern; transmission change speed mechanism; an electrically energicable device for controlling speed change in said transmission mechanism;

electrical circuit means, including a source of electrical energy, for controlling energization of said device; ignition grounding means for said ignition system adapted to facilitate operation of said change speed mechanism; a time delay relay comprising, a pair of relatively engageable relay points interposed in said ignition grounding means, and an energizable relay coil for controlling relative engagement and disengagement of said relay points; and circuit means for controlling energization of said relay coil whereby to effect grounding of said ignition system with time delay on restoring said ignition system to normal operation, comprising, means for grounding one end of said relay coil, a resistance, mean for electrically connecting the other endof said relay coil through said resistance to said energy source; and switch controlled means electrically connected to said electrically connecting means at a point between said resistance and said relay coil for grounding said other end of said coil, said resistance being adapted to so retard current flow from said energy source through said electrically connecting means, when said switch functions to ground said other end of said relay coil, as to prevent short circuiting said energy source through said electrically connecting means and said switch.

VICTOR E. MATULAITIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,257,838 Claytor Oct. 7, 1941 2,281,916 Claytor May 5, 1942 

